‘Not normal’ Eagles player poised to make former team regret letting him go: ‘They made a mistake’

This spring, Wicks trained under Robinson twice a week for two-hour sessions, working on route running and pass-catching techniques.

Wicks executed 45-degree and 90-degree cuts with sharp precision during box drills. He also showed outstanding hip fluidity and short-area quickness during cone drills.

Robinson said Wicks, who is 6-1, 206 pounds, transitioned in and out of his breaks more efficiently than most wide receivers who are 6-1 or taller.

“For someone that size, that’s not normal,” Robinson said. “It’s very unique because you find most guys that move like that are 6 foot, 5-11, 5-10. And so when it comes to defensive backs covering him and things of that nature.... Shoot, you can watch tape. He doesn’t have problems separating or anything like that.”

David Robinson

Wicks was given low expectations as a fifth-round pick in 2023, but he climbed up Green Bay’s depth chart as a rookie. At his best, he has proven he can be one of the league’s better route runners.

In 2024, he recorded the second-best Pro Football Focus separation percentage at 75%. He also ranked fourth in ESPN’s Open Score, a metric that grades a wide receiver’s ability to create separation.

“To be able to separate at the top of the route,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Wicks’ strengths. “I think his toughness shows up on tape. When you can create that type of separation, we obviously get really excited about that.”

In 2025, Wicks finished with a career-low 30 catches for 332 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He played a decent role in Green Bay’s offense but never became a full-time starter. To reach his ceiling in Philadelphia, he will need to be more consistent as a pass catcher and make more plays when given opportunities.

He recorded eight drops in 2024, which led to a lack of playing time, but he displayed stronger hands in 2025, dropping just three passes.

“We’ve been doing a lot of ball drills, tracking the ball from all different angles to enhance his hand-eye coordination,” Robinson said. “I’ve been doing a lot of distraction drills with him, having guys on the side of him swiping at his arms when the ball’s coming at him. I’m tugging him with a towel as the ball’s coming to his body. Just working on things that get him uncomfortable when the ball is in the air.”

Wicks

Wicks will start alongside DeVonta Smith and first-round pick Makai Lemon in 2026. He could take on some of the targets that would have gone to star wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is expected to be traded to the New England Patriots on or after June 1, according to ESPN.

In a starting role, Wicks’ connection with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts could become strong with increased playing time. Wicks has only played above 50% of the snaps in one of his three seasons with the Packers.

“That’s a lot to do with (the drops),” Robinson said about Wicks having to rotate in Green Bay’s offense. “Receivers have to be able to get in a rhythm. Gain the offensive coordinator’s trust, gain the quarterback’s trust. And it’s hard to do that when you’re in and out of the lineup like that.”

Robinson described Wicks as a “fierce competitor.” He also provided a lofty comparison.

“How he gets off the ball and runs, I would compare it to (Buccaneers Pro Bowl wide receiver) Chris Godwin,” Robinson said. “Of course, Chris Godwin’s hands are a lot more consistent. But I would compare the juice that he has to him.”

Godwin has almost identical measurements to Wicks at 6-1 and 209 pounds. From 2019 to 2023, Godwin was one of the league’s best No. 2 wideouts.

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CAYDEN STEELE

Wicks is not on that level yet, but he could become an impactful player in Philadelphia’s offense and play a bigger role over the next two years.

He’s likely to be Philadelphia’s No. 3 wide receiver behind Smith and Lemon. Last season, former Eagles wide receiver Jahan Dotson played 57% of the offensive snaps as the No. 3 wideout and finished with 18 catches for 262 yards and one touchdown. Wicks may provide an upgrade over Dotson in that role.

“Dontayvion is going to bring a different element to that Eagles offense when it comes to the intermediate crossing routes, comeback routes, slant routes and things of that nature,” Robinson said. “He’s really going to help be like a chain mover for those guys. He’s going to be a big time red-zone threat as well if they use him right. He can really help out in that department.”

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